scientology?

Question

does anyone know where i can learn more about the religion? the website doesnt say much. they just want me to come in for a personality test. what are they all about? why are alot of movie stars scientologists?

Answer 1

Im an ex-scientologist. I took a couple of their self-help courses and then left. Great stuff.

Your best bet is to gt the book Dianetics. Thats kindof a do-it-yourself version of their courses. Your local library probably has one.

The religion part of it is pretty bland. I think most people are in it for the self-help stuff. They were researched by a scifi author back in the 50's and compressed into some great courses. They start out cheap then go up. The highest ones are 1-on-1 counseling which can get expensive (like any 1-on-1 can).

The ones I remember are Personal Communications, Better Studying, fighting peer pressure, getting off drugs and alcohol, getting past blocks in your life to advance your career. Sounds like a perfect thing for the Hollywood crowd doesnt it?

And as far as I can see, the long list of ones doing it strike me as being happy open people. About the only thing anyone seems to hold against them is that they are happy open and scientologists. Compare that to the rest of the hollywood crowd that is always in the news. Id much rather have the kinds of articles that Cruise, Travolta, Seinfield, Alley have than the ones about Gibson, Spears, Jackson.

Answer 2

Here's a factual description for you (from a Scientologist)

Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. By “applied” is meant that it is for use in life and living. You actually use it in your day to day life to chandge and improve existing conditions. It is a practical religion.
All religions if you study them have a basic philosophy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this , but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It acknowledges the principle of God or the Supreme Being but does not try to define or describe this principle, leaving it up to the individual.
It is also not a messianic religion. This means there is no worship of prophets or messiahs.
It is not belief or faith based. In Scientology a truth is true for you according to your own observation and experience .
The dictionary definition that applies:

Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.

The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a thing you have but what YOU actually are.
Scientology believes or considers that Man is basically good. This is different from many religions that promote that he his natively evil or bad unless “made” good.

The whole purpose of Scientology knowledge application and procedure is to increase an individual’s understanding and awareness of himself and to rehabilitate his native abilities and potential.
When you do this there sphere and zones of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life , his family and friends, his groups and Mankind of which he is part .

How this result is achieved is the “technology” of Scientology, which was developed by L Ron Hubbard from discoveries he made after extensive research into the field of the mind and the human spirit.
Some of this knowledge was already existing in the ancient texts of the Veda or Vedic Hymns going back 10,000 years. New and additional discoveries were made and fully recorded and codified .
Hubbard published 18 basic books from 1950 to 1953 to fully communicate these basic [rinciples and the path of his research. He completed all his research before his death in 1986 and left all his materials and copyrights to the Church of Scientology’s Religious Technology Centre along with most of his personal estate when he died.

The Church of Scientology is currently established iand operating internationally in over 160 countries world wide. However it is still a new religion, less than 55 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.

This is just an overview.
L.Ron Hubbard explained fully the theology and technologies of Scientology in more than 500,000 pages of writings, including dozens of books and over 3,000 tape recorded public lectures.

If you want to learn more about this religion I recommended reading some of the basic books. These are available in public libraries or you can order them on line or buy copies at a local Scientology Church or Mission.

As for the movie stars.... actually there are lots of artists who are Scientologists, not just movie stars.

Here's a quote from the book "Science of Survival" regarding Scientology's viewpoint and the reason for assisting and supporting artists:


" The rehabilitation of that art-ability of a culture is a tremendously valid undertaking and will repay the culture a thousand times over for any effort made in that direction. A culture is only as great as it's dreams and it's dreams are dreamed by artists."

(Chapter 18: Level of Mind Alert)

Answer 3

Scientology was invented by L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer, on a bet that he couldn't actually create a new religion that people would actually believe and follow.

Of course, he won the bet with dianetics, which he gradually changed to scientology.

It's basically the belief that we, humans, are not people, at all, but rather, a zero-dimensional being he called a "thetan" who, over billions of years, have played the game of "life", and are now so intermeshed with the universe we created, that we have actually forgotten what we truly are and that the universe around us is only our imagination at work that we can disagree out of existence, or continue playing the "game."

They use what they call an "e-meter" to measure the "engrams" that report back all the different types of "things" we have been over the millenium so that we can eventually "remember" our true identities as "thetans".

It costs lots of money for these "tests", and never produces anything real in our lives, because it was all science fiction to begin with.

Answer 4

Maybe movie stars are used to living in a fantasy life, so scientology fits right in. Im sure the test will include your income. Watch some of the videos on utube. If that doesnt scare ya away i dont know how else to help ya.

Answer 5

religioustolerance.com is pretty accurate in their information, so I would direct you to their site.

The Scientology religion is an expanding new religion, founded by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The word Scientology means the “study of knowledge or truth” and addresses the rehabilitation and salvation of the human spirit.

That is just a short excerpt from the information they have. They also have statistics such as number of members, churches, etc.

Answer 6

Perhaps this may be of help:
http://www.xenu.net/

There aren't "lots" of movie stars who are scientologists, but they have put a lot of money into a big center that caters to movie stars in the hopes of converting them. Obviously it's worked for a few of them.

I always think that when investigating an issue, one should investigate both sides. So with a religion, it's helpful to find out what it's like both from members and from *former* members, who were part of it enough to really know what it's like from the inside, but who are not part of it now and may have different views than current members. I think that goes doubly true for controversial groups such as this.

Answer 7

Look in local phone book for the Church of Scientology and they make an appoiment with you to come down and see them in person to do the personanity test.

Answer 8

The only reason it is considered a religion in this country is because 1 tax court said it was (why the government didn't appeal is unknown). It was created by a hack SF writer who had a problem with psychology and taxes. They want your money. It is not uncommon for people to pay over $100,000 to go through their auditing process.

It is not considered a religion by many European countries.

Answer 9

My understanding is that Scientology was created by the Science Fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. He had a bet with other writers that he could create a religion....

That being said, I don't know a lot about their teachings... However it was created - if it works for someone... more power to them.

Answer 10

I have to question:

A science-fiction author as the creator of a new religion??

.....Well, upon further reflection, I guess that's about as close as anything. Tell Tom&Katie "you're It" for me.

Strive hard, Believe totally in your vision, Bye.